Grand Union Canal:Blue Lias

First job this morning was to wash the roof down.   Its the accumulation of rain and dust mingling with the ropes that leaves a dirty mess.   Then off to collect some fallen apples that I had spotted yesterday.   I was a bit disappointed.   They had looked big from the boat but turned out to be no more than large crab apples.   Soon after setting off we reached the top of the 8 Stockton Locks before the pub, our destination.   A single hire boat was just making its way into the lock as we arrived, so we joined them.    A young couple on nb Susan, a Kate Boat returning to Warwick.    It seems it was their first boating holiday and they had really enjoyed themselves.   I have to say they were quick learners because they caught on to our way of working really fast, Pat going ahead and using just one gate for exit.   We were down the 8, unopposed, very quickly indeed.   A few other boats were already moored, and more joined through the day.